Workers from the Federal Workers Forum, or FWF, have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government against depreciating the naira after adopting the new national minimum wage.
The statement was delivered by the forum during a meeting on Sunday.
The meeting closed with a communique signed and delivered to DAILY POST by the forum’s National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.
Since the termination of the Premium Motor Spirit subsidy, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advocated for a new national minimum wage.
The conference praised the Federal Government for establishing wage awards, but expressed discontent with the present ₦35,000 wage, which has not improved economic issues for federal workers since the withdrawal of petrol subsidies and currency devaluation.
The new national minimum wage is expected to begin on April 1st, 2024, with an announcement by May 1st, 2024.
They campaigned for a minimum salary of ₦300,000, citing President Tinubu’s promise of a living wage and rising living costs.
Emelieze said, “While we appreciate Mr President for the ₦35,000 wage award, we make bold to say that the ₦35,000 palliative did not solve the economic challenges faced by the federal government workers in Nigeria. It has been an hellish existence for the federal workers since the removal of subsidy on petrol and the subsequent devaluation of the naira.
“That the new national minimum wage takes off officially on April 1st, 2024 and that we expect the announcement of the new national minimum wage latest on Workers’ day May 1st, 2024.
“Our position is very clear, President Tinubu has promised a living wage, federal workers will not accept anything less. With the present cost of living crisis ₦300,000 which is not up to 1% of the President’s salary, will not be too much for a federal minimum wage.”
They highlighted the daily expenses of transport and meals, stressing the need for decent compensation.
Additionally, they called for the settlement of outstanding arrears and caution against naira devaluation post-implementation.
“For daily survival, a worker will need an average of ₦2,000 daily transport and at least ₦2.000 per meal hence,a worker will be needing an average of ₦10,000 ( at around $1 per hour) to manage to survive daily.
“We call for justice, we demand for a decent, fair and just living wage for the federal work force. We will resist and reject anything less than a living wage. Our government should also not forget to clear all outstanding arrears owed the federal workers.
“The Federal government is also called upon not to in anyway devalue the naira after the implementation of the new national minimum wage. Federal workers have suffered enough, it is time to end poverty among the federal government workers,” he added.
